IMPHAL, Aug 20 - Union Commerce and Industries Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said that steps have been taken to strengthen economic ties with several South East Asian countries especially neighbouring Myanmar.
The Centre will be working together with Manipur Government to pursue this course to improve international trade relations, Sitharaman told reporters at Imphal airport.
She said India has been trying to expand trade relations with SE Asian countries in association with the State Government.
The Union Minister said efforts are on to establish border haats at the Indo-Myanmar border town of Moreh.
Sitharaman is on a day-long visit to the State to attend a party programme.
Ethno Medicinal Research Centre: Meanwhile, a North East Centre for Ethno Medicinal Research has been inaugurated at Hengbung village in Kangpokpi district of Manipur.
Speaking at the inaugural function yesterday, Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh said, inauguration of such a centre will be a milestone for the region, especially Manipur, as the State has plenty of medicinal plants.
He said, �We have so many traditional ways of healing ailments by using various medicinal plants, though proper codification for treatment of diseases by using medicinal plants is yet to be done.�
�If we have the knowledge of its medicinal value by analysing its ingredients and chemicals, it will be more helpful to undergo treatment. The newly opened research centre would play an important role in this regard,� he added.
He urged the Centre to co-ordinate with institutes like ICAR, IBSD & Central Agricultural University to undertake research work in various fields that are productive and useful for the people as a whole.
Inaugurating the Centre along with the Dy CM, State Commerce and Industries Minister Th Bishwajit Singh said, ethno-medicinal treatment has been a long tradition for healing ailments in our society.
Dr HB Singh, principal scientist, North East Institute of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science & Technology also spoke on the importance of utilising local resources and manpower to create certain products, as part of Prime Minister�s Make in India Campaign. � PTI
